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View Poll Results: The biggest factor in the Pacers' inconsistent defense this year has been:

Game Recap

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Jermaine O'Neal scored 27 points and had 15 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season and the Indiana Pacers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 98-78 Friday night.

The Pacers were playing on the road for the fourth time in six days, but they had no trouble with the struggling Blazers, who have lost seven of nine.

Indiana trailed 22-18 to start the second quarter, but went on a 16-2 run to take a 34-24 lead on O'Neal's 18-foot jumper.

The Pacers went on to lead by as many as 28 points en route to their sixth win in eight games. It was O'Neal's first victory in Portland since he was traded from the Blazers to Indiana in 2000.

Sarunas Jasikevicius had 14 points, and Ron Artest added 12 and five rebounds for Indiana, which was coming off a 109-91 loss to Phoenix on Wednesday night -- a game the Pacers never led.

The Blazers were back at home after going 2-5 on an East Coast road swing, including losses in their last two games.

Jarrett Jack came of the bench to lead the Blazers with 15 points. Zach Randolph, averaging 18.6 points and 9.8 rebounds going in, had 12 points and two rebounds against the Pacers.

The Blazers drafted O'Neal out of high school in the first round in 1996. He played four seasons with Portland.

O'Neal had a shoulder injury and didn't play last season when the Pacers beat the Blazers 106-97 at the Rose Garden. The Pacers were winless in their previous four visits to Portland with O'Neal.

Disgruntled Blazers reserve forward Ruben Patterson remained on the team's inactive list Friday, although coach Nate McMillan said he had agreed to return to the team.

Patterson was suspended for two games and then went on the inactive list after cursing at McMillan during a game against the New York Knicks on Nov. 20.

Patterson has been unhappy about his minutes, playing a reserve role behind Darius Miles and Randolph.

Notes

Blazers rookie Martell Webster was not with the team because of a death in his family. ... Blazers center Theo Ratliff was inactive because of foot pain. ... Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley had a sore left groin and didn't play. Jasikevicius started in his place.